One to Buy: 205km Fire Opal 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series (SOLD)
At the Los Angeles Motor Show in November 2012, Mercedes unveiled the fifth car in its Black Series line.
Following on from the 2006 SLK55, the 2007 CLK63, the 2008 SL65 and the 2011 C63, the SLS AMG Black Series was based on the Gullwing-doored C197 Coupe and was built in a limited run of 350 units between 2013 and 2014. It featured a range of chassis, engine, transmission, body and interior enhancements, many of which were inspired by the successful SLS GT3 racing car which had won the 2012 FIA GT World and European Driver and Manufacturer titles as well as that year’s ADAC GT Masters title.
Lighter, sharper, more powerful and much faster than the base SLS, the epic Black Series variant went down as the ultimate road-going expression of Mercedes’ C197 line.
Included among an astonishing array of modern era supercars set to go under the hammer from a single owner collection at Bonhams’ Bonmont auction in Switzerland on September 20th is a quite possibly unique example of the SLS Black Series: chassis ‘010486’.
Whereas most customers had to choose from a palette of seven exterior and two interior colour schemes, the VIP buyer of this particular example was able to request out-of-range Fire Opal paint which he combined with a Black leather and alcantara interior. Practically every optional extra was also requested to include the Aerodynamics Package, exposed carbonfibre exterior mirrors, exposed carbonfibre engine cover, exposed carbonfibre interior pack and Bang & Olufsen BeoSound infotainment system.
Completed to Gulf specification in October 2013, chassis ‘010486’ has resided in Switzerland with a single owner since new. It is being offered in immaculate condition throughout with just 205km on the odometer.
Reprinted below is Bonhams’ description:
Chassis no. WDDRJ7HAXEA010486
Built to Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) specification
One owner
205 kilometres from new
'As new' condition
Registered in Switzerland
"For anyone wishing to give their Mercedes that extra personal touch, Mercedes-AMG GmbH has just the answers. The Daimler-Chrysler subsidiary offers the combined experience of Mercedes-Benz and AMG in the field of high-quality enhancements for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and puts the emphasis firmly on individuality when creating the customer's dream Mercedes." - Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
AMG, which is now the official performance division of Mercedes-Benz, has a long history of producing high-performance derivatives of Mercedes' standard production vehicles, and these improved versions enjoy an enthusiastic following world-wide, with prominent figures of the motorsports, entertainment, sport, and business communities being counted among aficionados.
With the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in 2010, the Affalterbach-based firm took a significant step forward. First seen at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and acknowledged as a tribute to the legendary 300 SL 'Gullwing' coupé of the 1950s – arguably the world's first supercar – the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG was notable as the first car to be designed and built entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG.
A collectors' item from the day it was announced, the newcomer featured 'Gullwing' doors like its illustrious predecessor and succeeded the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren at the top of the German manufacturer's range. Styled by Mercedes-Benz's Mark Fetherston, the SLS AMG received numerous prestigious design awards, and is the only automobile ever to have won the (gold) Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany. An open roadster version was introduced for 2011.
Boasting a chassis/body of mainly aluminium construction, the SLS (Sport Licht Super) was powered by a 6.2-litre V12 engine producing 563bhp initially - the most powerful normally aspirated production car engine of its day - while the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission was similarly state-of-the-art. A rear wing, extendable at high speeds, kept the SLS stable at its near-200mph maximum, while its low weight (3,573lbs) helped the car lap the Mercedes-Benz test track quicker than its SLR McLaren predecessor.
Not surprisingly, given its pedigree, the SLS AMG proved very popular with racing drivers, Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton among them, while the list of celebrity owners includes Eddie Murphy, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Al Pacino, Roger Federer, Sylvester Stallone, and Tom Hanks.
Several limited edition versions were introduced, including a GT3 racer, leading up to the SLS AMG GT Final Edition of 2014. Before then Mercedes had launched the Black Series, which was premiered at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show and entered production the following year.
A high-performance variant, the Black Series had been inspired by the SLS AMG GT3 racer. Notable improvements over the SLS AMG included an extensively revised and more powerful engine producing 622bhp, and a reduction in weight of 70kg (154lb) courtesy of, among other things, more body panels in carbon fibre and a titanium exhaust system.
The result of these changes was a reduction in the 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time to 3.2 seconds and an increase in top speed to 196mph (315km/h).
In addition, the AMG SpeedShift DCT seven-speed transmission's 'Sport Plus' and 'Manual' modes had faster shifting than the standard model, while there were countless other upgrades made to the suspension, steering, wheels, brakes, and aerodynamics, the latter including an (optional) GT3-type fixed rear wing. Externally, the Black Series featured flared wheelarches and enhanced aerodynamic aids among numerous other subtle styling changes.
Mercedes-AMG CEO Tobias Moers has said that there are no plans for a successor to the SLS AMG, so for the time being this extraordinary car remains the ultimate expression of the noble 'Gullwing' tradition.
Finished in Fire Opal (red) with black/anthracite interior, this stunning Black Series was built to Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) specification in October 2013 and delivered new to the present owner. Its mouth-watering specification includes the following:
AMG ceramic brakes
AMG sports bucket seats
AMG performance steering wheel in leather/Alcantara
AMG interior carbon package
AMG Speedshift seven-speed DCT transmission
AMG ride control adjustable sports suspension
AMG carbon fibre engine cover
AMG carbon fibre exterior mirrors
Electrically folding exterior mirrors
Increased power version
Aerodynamic package
Reversing camera
Garage door opener
Auto dimming interior and exterior mirrors
Tyre pressure monitoring system
Anti-theft
Automatic air conditioning
Command apps with DVD changer
Headlamp cleaning system
Bang & Olufsen Beo Sound
Interior motion sensor
Bi-xenon headlamps
Presented in effectively 'as new' condition, having covered a mere 205 kilometres from new, this collectible modern Mercedes-Benz is offered with Swiss registration papers.
